Fence.



No. 747,435. n PATBNTED DEG. 2z, 190s. W. JENKINS..

. FENCE.

4 APPLIOATION r1LBD'Dno.'11, 1902-.

H0 MODEL.

QI 5.. I, MW l Ljzgfxg by f l I Y f o Jhfwzays UNITED STATES Patented December 22, 1903',

WILLIAM JENKINS, OF EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS;

FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 747,435, dated December 22, 1903.

Application led December 11, 1902. Serial No. 134.819. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:v

Be it known that I, WILLIAM JENKINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Eureka Springs, in the county of Carroll and State of Arkansas, have invented a new and useful Fence, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to fences; and it has for its object to construct a fence composed of metallic posts and wires in a manner which shall be simple and inexpensive and which at the same timevshall be durable and capable of'resisting a heavy strain.

My invention consists, specifically, in the improved construction of the posts and of the means for securing the wires to the same, which willbehereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the same.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view showingr a fence-post constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective detail view showing one of the wire-securing catches detached from the post. Fig. 4 is a similar view illustrating the method of connecting the wire with the post by means of one of said catches. Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing a portion of a fence constructed in accordance with my invention.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are indicated by similar characters of reference.

My invention comprises in its construction the post member 1 and the base 2, both of which are in practice to be constructed of sheet metal which need notv be very heavy, but which at the same time should be sufticiently stout to enable it to withstand reasonable strain. Galvanized met-al may preferably be used to avoid injury by exposure to the weather.

The post member 1 is folded from a sheetmetal blank to the shape clearly indicated in the drawings-that is, triangular in crosssection and tapering from its lower to its upper end, being practically the shape of an elongated triangular based pyramid. One side, 3, of the post member extends the entire length of the latter in the same plane. The

other sides, 4 4, are at the extreme lower end of the post member 1 bent outwardat right angles to the side 3, thus forming flanges 5 5, spaced apart a distance equal to the width of the lower end of the side of the post for engagement with the base 2, as will bepresently described. The supporting-base 2 is likewise constructed of sheet metal bent to a V shape in cross-section, tapered to a point 6 at its lower end, and provided with fianges 7 7, which are suitably connected with the Iianges 5 5 of t-he post, said connection being eiiected'by means of rivets 11 and bolts l2. The latter,.if preferred, may be replaced by means of break-pins, as will be readily understood.

In connection with myimproved'triangular post I employ the catches or wire-fasteners which have been shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. These catches, which are preferably formed of spring-wire, are connected permanently with the post to which theyare attached, said catches being composed of rods 14, extending transversely through the post and having bearings centrally in one of its sides and at the opposite angle formed by the two opposite converging sides of the post. These rods 14 are bent at their ends to form eyes 15 and 16, both of which are bent upwardly from the rod or bar 14 and thenceinwardly and in a downward direction. The inner member 17 of the eye 16, which is disposed at the angular corner ofthe post, is extended downwardly, forming an arm 18, the lower end of which is extended laterally and bent to form yan angular catch or detent 19.

It will be seen that when this device is in its normal position upon the post the eyes 15 and 16 will be exposed, the former centrally between the edges of one of the fiat sides of said posts and the latter at the opposite corner or angle of the post. The arm 18 will extend downwardly, and the catch or detent 19 will engage the corner of the post, thus retaining the catch or wire-support in operative position.

VThe method of placing the fence-wire in engagement with the catches or supports will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 6 of the drawings. Said wire or runner is simply pressed into the eye 15, where it is supported against downward movement. The wire is then bent in advance of the post, the detent 19 is disengaged from the corner of the same,

IOO

and the arm 18 slightly raised until the Wire may be passed under it and into engagement with the eye 16, Where it is retained against upward movement. When the arm 18 is lowered to its normal position, the detent 19 reengages the corner or angle of the post and the wire-support is retained securely in position, supporting the wire, as will be readily understood. It will be seen that the fencewire at the point of its connection with the post will be slightly indented, as shown at 20. This indentation will by no means injure the wire, but it will add greatly to the stability of the fence by preventing lateral displacement of the posts thereof. It will also be seen that the wires may be attached with equal facility to either side of the post. This feature, which has been clearly illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings, enables me to place the said wires alternately on opposite sides of each post, thus practically weaving the posts into the fence and accordinglyincreasing the strength and durabilityand equally bracing the front and rear sides of the posts against lateral displacement.

It is obvious that the Wire supporting catches being formed of spring-Wire will readily lend themselves to the placing of the Wires as herein described and will form springlocks, whereby they themselves are retained in position.

I have in the foregoing described the preferred construction of my improved fence and post; but I desire it to be understood that I do not limit myself with regard to the details thereof, but reserve the right to any modications which may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention ordetracting from the utility of the same.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is- 1. The combination with a triangular fencepost, of a wire-supporting device comprising a pivotal member extending transversely through the post and having bearings centrally in one of the sides and at the opposite angle thereof, Wire-supporting eyes at the ends of said pivotal member, and an arm eX- tending from one of said eyes and having a catch mem ber engaging the angular corner of the post.

2. The combination with a triangular fencepost, of a wire-supporting device comprising a pivotal member, eyes at the ends of said pivotal member, an arm extending from one of said eyes, and a lateral extension at the end of said arm, bent to form a V-shaped catch.

3. The combination with a triangular fencepost, of a wire-supporting device and springlock composed of resilient wire and comprising a pivotal member, eyes at the ends of said pivotal member, an arm extending from one of said eyes, and a lateral extension at the end of said arm forming a detent.

4. The combination withatriangularfencepost, of a wire-supporting device comprising a pivotal member, eyes formed at the ends of said pivotal member to support strain, one in an upward and the other in a downward direction, an arm extending from one of said eyes, and a catch formed at the end of said arm, the said device being formed of resilient wire to impart resiliency to the arm having the catch.

5. A fence comprising a plurality of triangular posts, wire-supporting devices extending transversely through said posts and having bearings each in one side and in the opposite angle of said posts, said supporting devices comprising pivotal members, eyes formed at the opposite ends thereof, and resilient arms having catches engaging the corners of the posts, and wires engaging said supporting devices, indented at the points of contact with the posts and supported alternately against opposite sides of alternate posts.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM JENKINS.

Witnesses:

F. H. FREEMAN, A. KREBS. 

